How To Impress The Landlord And Land A Coveted Apartment

If your credit history comes with a few dings, it's best to get ahead of them beforehand.

You've been scouring the rental listings for your new apartment for weeks now. And after an exhaustive search, you've finally found the perfect apartment. It's a great location, the price is right, and it's exactly what you've been looking for.

But, what do you do when you find out there's a long line of people trying to land the same apartment? The best answer is: Make yourself stand out. Here are some great ways to make yourself stand out, impress the landlord, and land that coveted apartment that you simply can't live without.

Appeal More Appealing

Making a great first impression on your potential new landlord is imperative to landing that coveted apartment. When looking at the big picture, landlords really only want to know three things about a potential tenant for their property:

You won't cause problems with the neighbors

You won't destroy the property

You pay your rent on time

If this is your first apartment, you won't be able to provide glowing references from previous landlords. Without a 'rental resume', it can be more difficult to stand out among other potential renters. But, don't panic, there are strategies you can use to help boost your chances when looking for apartments for rent.

Let's Talk Numbers

Know Your Score

Credit history plays an important role in a landlord's decision. Knowing what your credit score is can help you land that coveted property. If you are a first-time renter, most landlords with apartments for rent will work with scores that range between 550-580 or higher.

If your credit history comes with a few dings, it's best to get ahead of them beforehand. You should start trying to repair any unflattering information on your credit report immediately. It's also a good idea to explain your less than perfect score to a potential landlord before you're asked about it. Be sure to include why they happened and what steps you've taken to make sure they don't happen again.

Price vs. Budget

The number one priority for a landlord is getting the rent on time, consistently. Being able to understand where you stand financially is important. Figuring out what your budget can handle on a monthly basis is the first step. To find out what's the most rent your budget can handle, divide your annual income by 40. You don't want to spend any more than that on rent each month. This will ensure that you are well prepared for those unforeseen expenses that may pop up during the year.

Prepared With Proof

You should always plan ahead and have some savings in the bank to cover various associated costs. Have a few months' worth of bank statements on hand to show you can handle the costs of renting the property.

Pre-approval charges can include application and credit check fees. Once approved, there are plenty of other costs you should prepare for including:

Security deposit

First and/or last month's rent

Broker fees

Pet deposits

Parking permits

And more

Of course, you don't want to get in over your head financially. So, a great rule of thumb when looking for apartments for rent is to make sure you have at least two months' worth of rent plus two or three hundred more in your account.

Get Personal

Make A Great First Impression

There are a few strategies here that can help you land that perfect place. The impression you leave with your potential new landlord is just as important as the one you might make with a potential new employer. You want to get across that you'll take care of their property just like you take care of yourself.

Don't Be Tardy

Punctuality is simply common courtesy. But, this is another opportunity to show the landlord that you are reliable and will be punctual with your monthly rent. As with any important meeting, setting the standard with punctuality is a great way to make a good first impression. Make sure to arrive at least 5-10 minutes ahead of your scheduled appointment to show that you are serious about this property.

Be Honest

It may be a good idea to offer a 'pet interview'. This way, your landlord can make their own assessment of your pet's manners and demeanor. This can be especially helpful if you have a breed with shakey reputation.